Tata Altroz

This is the new CNG variant of the Tata Altroz. It joins the CNG portfolio of the carmaker, alongside the Tiago and Tigor. Its prime competitors are the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Toyota Glanza which are also offered in CNG versions but fewer variants; the Altroz CNG can be had in as many as six variants. Does this and the new segment-first features make it any good? We find out in this review.

Firstly, the exterior hasn't changed much, apart from the small CNG badge on the fender which is the only sign that this is a CNG version. Otherwise, it looks identical to its petrol sibling. Meanwhile, projector headlamps, a long hood, a prominent shoulder line, and a distinct rear section — all these features are carried over. Now, this is good as the design of the Altroz is likeable and the proportions are nice for a compact yet spacious cabin.

On the inside, this Tata hatchback hasn’t changed and it still opens its doors wide (wider! with a 90-degree opening). You are welcomed in a spacious cabin with enough room in the front and firmly padded seats. That said, the headroom in the second row has been reduced with the addition of the sunroof. The interior is still replete with all the bells and whistles from its top-spec petrol variants. The build quality remains strong too with the use of good materials and there are sufficient storage places, including full-sized bottle holders.

Also, unlike many other carmakers, Tata Motors hasn’t skimped on comfort, convenience, and safety features. It has provided most of the equipment that a premium hatchback owner would expect to have. Some noteworthy highlights here are six airbags, a rear-view camera, automatic headlamps, cruise control, steering-mounted controls, automatic climate control, and rear AC vents. In addition, it also gets a four-inch digital instrument cluster, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, an eight-speaker setup, and a wireless charger.

Another USP and a segment-first feature is an electrically adjustable sunroof with the voice command function. However, the car still misses out on features like hill hold control, LED headlights and tail lamps, turn indicators on ORVMs, and 60:40 split rear seats. Nevertheless, the Altroz’s CNG kit is advanced and compact with its twin-cylinder tech. A boot space of 210-litre is good enough for buyers who don’t want to install a roof carrier, as is the case with most CNG hatchbacks.

Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 87bhp and 115Nm of torque in the standard mode, this mill comes with a twin-cylinder CNG kit. In the CNG mode, it develops 72bhp and 103Nm of peak torque. The transition from petrol to CNG or vice-versa is quick and despite the power deficit, there’s no jerk or apparent power lag on the go. That said, there are no drive modes for this naturally aspirated three-cylinder unit, which isn’t peppy and takes its sweet time to build speed. Then, the low-end torque isn’t strong, while the car gets going in the mid-range. It gets noisy with the increase in rpm or when you are pushing it. You’d most certainly be doing 2,000rpm to maintain consistent speed and will have to plan overtakes, especially if there’s a long vehicle ahead.

Nonetheless, the constant change in gears isn’t tiresome as the clutch is light and the gears slot in nicely. The transmission options are limited to a five-speed manual gearbox. Prospective buyers won’t have to worry though, as the car climbed a steep slope in first gear without stopping or without the tyres losing grip and screeching. The second and third-gear ratio is high and lets you rev and build up speed. Once in the fourth and fifth gear, one can cruise and maintain triple-digit speeds in both CNG and petrol modes. Plus, when you wring the engine till its redline at 6,000rpm, only minor vibrations can be felt on the steering.

The Altroz has become heavier and the car's rear suspension has been retuned to account for the extra 100kg at the back. The springs are slightly stiffer and damping has also been adjusted. Still, there's no tangible difference in its ride quality and it continues to clear our road conditions without any hassle. The 16-inch tyres further help in taking on obstacles while the ride quality and shock absorption are quite balanced out offering a relaxed ride. Its steering is light but with full three turns lock-to-lock, it becomes tedious while parking. Otherwise, it weighs up nicely and the car turns in smoothly in the direction it’s pointed at. Not to mention, body roll is evident if you go aggressively around a bend. Appreciatively, the car stops confidently even under harsh braking with the spongy brakes.

The Altroz i-CNG is priced between Rs. 7.55 lakh to Rs. 10.02 lakh (ex-showroom). This top-of-the-line CNG version is almost Rs. 1 lakh over its top-spec petrol counterpart. But at this premium, you get all the features without any compromise, unlike its competitors who come in the CNG version without a top-spec variant. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Glanza are available in just two CNG variants, whereas the Tata Altroz is in six! It lures buyers at different price points. We recommend going for the XM+ (S) variant which feels value-for-money as against similarly priced variants of its rivals. This one gets more features too, like an electrically adjustable sunroof, automatic headlamps, ambient lighting, and rain-sensing wipers. Moreover, the CNG kit in the Altroz is advanced in terms of its twin-cylinder tech and provides a more usable and practical boot space than its opponents. Besides, the primary reason to opt for a CNG version is that it provides a lesser running cost as compared to petrol and adds to the driving range as well.

Pictures by Kaustubh Gandhi